DAR, DOF, UN and IFAD Ink Financing Agreement for VISTA Project

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Department of Finance (DOF) and the United Nations (UN) formally signed and exchanged a financing agreement for the Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) Project on September 6, 2024, at the DOF Building, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, to advance and develop agrarian reform communities (ARCs) as pillars of national food security.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III said the project aims to address the main causes of rural poverty and increase the income, employment, and climate resilience of target groups, including women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs), by strengthening the inclusive value chains with conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

“This paves the way for great transformation in two key regions of our country, namely the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region XII. This project is not just about helping farmers; it’s about paving the way for stability in these regions. VISTA will pave the way for innovative and creative approaches for cacao and coffee and will certainly help the government construct farm-to-market roads and introduce new technology in agriculture to farmers,” Estrella remarked.

The ceremonial exchange of documents between DOF Secretary Ralph G. Recto and IFAD Country Director Umit Mansiz, as witnessed by DAR Secretary Estrella, set the green light for the USD 112.82-million VISTA Project, a joint mission between the IFAD and the government of the Philippines that aims to reduce rural poverty and increase food security while protecting and enhancing the natural ecosystems in vulnerable upland areas.

In his message, Recto expressed the government’s commitment to targeting poverty-fighting and sustainable development solutions for ARC and Filipino farmers. Recto further acknowledged IFAD’s role in the success of the VISTA Project.

“Sa tulong ng proyektong ito, tayo po ay makakapaghatid ng mas maraming trabaho at negosyo, dagdag na kita, mas matibay na proteksyon laban sa climate change, at mas maginhawang buhay para sa ating mga kababayan sa